Il Beodo Path
THE BEODO PATH
“It is one of the most suggestive walks in Bordighera, unforgettable for any artist,” exclaimed Charles Garnier: “an uninterrupted succession of places where form and elegance find a perfect balance.”
The palm trees possess the ability to fascinate the visitors, transporting them eastward. The panorama also opens onto cultivated terraces, the Mediterranean scrub, dry-stone walls, so vulnerable to violent autumn rains, but so well integrated into the hillside as to seem almost decorative.
At the top, there is the small village of Sasso, which gives the name to the valley, and it is easy to understand why Claude Monet, during his stay in Bordighera in 1884, was inspired to explore this valley through its colors, light, and the shapes of palms, fascinating and at the same time difficult to capture on canvas.
Il Beodo Path
This walk follows the path of the ancient aqueduct that supplied the city with drinking water and irrigation. It fed a cistern (now covered), located in the center of Piazza Padre Giacomo Viale, which supplied water to homes, fountains, oil mills, public washhouses, gardens, and orchards.
The path begins immediately after the Historic Center (via dei Colli), crosses a tunnel, climbs the valley of the Sasso river along an ancient mule track, and then continues along dry-stone walls, dotted with mimosas, brooms, olive trees, cacti and palms. Overlooking the coast, it then heads towards the small inland hamlet of Sasso.
Notes
A relaxing hike on an excellent trail/road in the first part, until you pass the pillars of the highway. Leaving the road (path to the right near a small bridge), the trail changes decidedly in the environment, immersing itself in rather wild vegetation, always close to the “Beodo,” with some fords (depending on the seasons with more or less water), and reaches the hamlet of Sasso. From here, one returns by completing the loop on a slightly more comfortable trail, although in some stretches rather steep. Possibility to extend the hike as desired by adding further routes based on available time and physical preparation.
Approach
Whether arriving from below (via Aurelia) or from above (Bordighera highway exit), once you reach Bordighera Alta (Vecchia), park in the vast square.
Description
Starting from the square of the church in the old town of Bordighera, the beginning of Beodo is reached by climbing the hill (via Mariani, then via Madonnetta) that runs to the right next to the parish church (dedicated to Mary Magdalene). Then turn right onto via del Beodo (on the left, we leave the house-museum of Pompeo Mariani). Continue on the flat until the narrow and dark underpass on via dei Colli, a metaphorical entrance to Beodo (you also arrive here by descending directly from the hairpin bend on the road, from Ca’ d’Argentu). Continue along this beautiful road, which then becomes dirt, up to a farm with animals. Beyond this, turn right onto a marked trail that penetrates between reeds and vegetation.
Historical
The path of the Drunken is part of a circular route that can be extended depending on the available time and physical preparation. Along the way, you will encounter several places of interest; immediately after an imposing cactus that dominates the Marina di Arziglia, followed by a palm tree nursery cared for by the volunteers of the “Cumpagnia da Parmura,” where studies on indigenous palm trees are conducted. The palms, introduced by St. Ampelio in the 5th century, are still intertwined for religious celebrations. The landscape gardener Ludwig Winter created his Palm Garden here for the particularly favorable microclimate. Along the route, you can see centuries-old olive trees and, immersing yourself in the landscape, you can recognize some of the paintings by Monet made in this place, such as “The small house in Bordighera” and “The valley of Sasso, blue effect.” Although the landscape has changed due to various factors, a touch of its ancient magic still endures.